The city of Boulder is considering what its energy future will look like. The goal it to acquire "clean, local and reliable" energy in the future, and one voter-approved option is to start a municipal utility. For more information on the history of this decision, click here.

Longmont man accused of shocking grandmother with stun gun

LONGMONT -- A 20-year-old Longmont man is accused of shocking his grandmother with a stun gun late Saturday night, police said today.

Alec Arapahoe was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault of an at-risk adult, using a stun gun, false imprisonment, obstruction of telephone use, misdemeanor menacing and underage consumption of alcohol, according to his arrest report.

Arapahoe, who police said is employed as a security guard, visited his grandmother, 66, and his great-aunt, 63, on the 2200 block of Pratt Street at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, according to police Cmdr. Jeff Satur. Because Arapahoe was drunk, his grandmother "demanded he turn over his Taser device," the arrest report stated. He became angry and started yelling at the women; when they tried to leave the apartment, he "grabbed them by the arms and threw them back into their chairs," according to the arrest report.

Every time his grandmother tried to call police, Arapahoe took the phone from her, according to police.

At some point -- the time is not clear -- Arapahoe shot the Taser into the wall behind his grandmother and aunt, He then repeatedly pointed the Taser at each woman, moving it back and forth, police said.

When Arapahoe reached in to his jacket, the grandmother tried to escape so she could call police. As she was running, Arapahoe pushed the stun gun in to her back and fired it again, shocking his grandmother, according to police.

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Still, she was able to escape and call police shortly before 10 p.m., according to the arrest report.

Arapahoe was arrested at about 10:25 p.m. at King Soopers, 2255 Main St., after he locked himself in a bathroom there, Satur said. He was coaxed out of the restroom without further incident, Satur said.

Ballot language:
In November, Boulder voters narrowly approved two ballot issues related to starting a municipal utility: 2B and 2C. You can read the full text of the ballot language on the city's website.

Issue 2B asked voters to increase the existing utility occupation tax by up to $1.9 million a year. The money from the tax, which will be collected from customers by Xcel Energy, will be used by the city to cover the costs of moving forward with forming a municipal utility, such as more studies and legal fees.

Issue 2C asked voters for permission to actually form a municipal utility. The language allows the city to sell the necessary bonds to take over the current system from Xcel, but it states that the city may only move forward with forming a municipal utility if it can start the utility with rates that are the same or cheaper than Xcel's.

Helpful Links:City of Boulder: This is where the city is aggregating all of its documents, meeting information and updates on Boulder s energy future: bouldercolorado.gov/energyfuture

RenewablesYes: This website is run by the group of volunteers that lobbied local voters to pass a utility occupation tax in November to replace the expiring franchise fee from Xcel Energy. Now, the group is advocating for the city to secure a cleaner, more local energy supply. renewablesyes.org

Xcel Energy: Xcel is the largest utility in Colorado, and it currently provides electricity to Boulder. The city s 20-year franchise agreement with Xcel expired at the end of 2010. xcelenergy.com

Boulder Smart Energy Coalition: A citizen group that supports the city's general energy goals but has concerns about the risks involved with starting a municipal utility. bouldersec.com

SmartGridCity: Xcel Energy has installed a smart grid in Boulder. This web site provides more information on that initiative. smartgridcity.xcelenergy.com

Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities: This Colorado Springs-based group represents the state s 29 municipal utilities, which include utilities based in Lyons and Longmont. coloradopublicpower.org